Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics
The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics is given to a comic book aimed at younger readers that fulfills the criteria of quality, timelessness, originality, diversity, and inclusion. It is named in honour of Dwayne McDuffie, a creator known for his work creating comics and animation.
The award was created after consultation with McDuffie's widow Charlotte Fullerton.
Kids Read Comics administers the award. It is presented each year at the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival at Ann Arbor District Library. Anyone can nominate a title for the award, but the shortlist and winner are chosen by a panel of judges including reviewers, librarians, teachers, and comic industry professionals.
Criticism
In 2017 the award was criticized for creating a shortlist of comics created almost entirely by white people. Raina Telgemeier won the award that year and in her acceptance speech highlighted ten recent graphic novels by diverse creators and gave away ten copies of each to members of the audience.
In response to the criticism the award began to allow anyone to nominate titles.
Award winners and nominees
2015
Hilda and the Black Hound by Luke Pearson Bird and Squirrel on Ice by James Burks Cat Dad, King of the Goblins by Britt Wilson Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack Costume Quest: Invasion of the Candy Snatchers by Zac Gorman El Deafo by Cece Bell Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loïc Dauvillier, Marc Lizano, and Greg Salsedo Lowriders in Space by Cathy Camper and Raúl the Third Jim Henson's The Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl, adapted and illustrated by Roger Langridge Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
2016
Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova Chi's Sweet Home, Vol. 12 by Konami Kanata Courtney Crumrin, Vol. 7: Tales of a Warlock by Ted Naifeh Flop to the Top! by Eleanor Davis and Drew Weing The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Crazy Critter Race by Maxwell Eaton III Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by ND Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, and Brooke Allen Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale Ultraman by Tomohiro Shimoguchi and Eiichi Shimizu The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power by Ryan North and Erica Henderson
2017
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier Bad Machinery, Vol. 6: The Case of the Unwelcome Visitor by John Allison Blip! by Barnaby Richards The Cloud by K.I. Zachopoulos and Vincenzo Balzano The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo by Drew Weing Goldie Vance by Hope Larson, Britney Williams, and Sarah Stern Hilda and the Stone Forest by Luke Pearson Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Vol. 1: BFF by Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare, and Natacha Bustos Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!, Vol. 1: Hooked On A Feline by Kate Leth, Brittney Williams, and Natasha Allegri Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O'Neill
2018
The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman The Backstagers, Vol. 1: Rebels without Applause by James Tynion IV and Rian Sygh Garbage Night by Jen Lee I am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina, Stacey Robinson, and John Jennings It’s Treason, by George! by Steve Hockensmith, Chris Kientz, and Lee Nielsen Nightlights by Lorena Alvarez Gomez Space Battle Lunchtime, Vol. 2: A Recipe for Disaster by Natalie Riess Where’s Halmoni? by Julie Kim Witch Boy by Lee Knox Ostertag
2019
The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol Hidden Witch by Lee Knox Ostertag Last Pick by Jason Walz Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass by Lilah Sturges and polterink My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun Onibi: Diary of a Yokai Ghost Hunter by Atelier Sento Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brooks